Berto aims to avenge loss of welterweight crown to Ortiz

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Andre Berto will try to avenge the only loss of his career when he faces Victor Ortiz in an all-American welterweight fight on Feb. 11 at Las Vegas, promoters announced on Monday.

Southpaw Ortiz won a unanimous decision over Berto last April in a fight that saw Berto knocked down in the first round, Ortiz flattened in the next round and both fighters sent to the canvas in round six.

Ortiz took the World Boxing Council welterweight title but lost it last September to unbeaten U.S. star Floyd Mayweather in a controversial fourth-round knockout while Ortiz was distracted while talking to the referee.

“I'm prepared to go to war again with Berto,” Ortiz said.

Berto, 28-1 with 22 knockouts, won the International Boxing Federation title in his most recent bout when Slovenian Jan Zaveck retired after five rounds because he could not see out of his right eye.

But Berto dumped the IBF title so he could make the 12-round rematch against Ortiz, 29-3 with 22 knockouts.

“I'm looking forward to this fight,” Berto said. “It's a fight that I want and it's a fight the people demanded. These are the types of fights that make boxing so great. I'm so hyped and excited to get ready to make another classic.

“Bottom line — Ortiz has to go.”

Each fighter will have random blood and urine tests taken in Olympic-style doping tests.